Trade goods are items specifically made to be used for trade (barter) rather than by the manufacturer or to be sold for money. And here are my first trade goods…
Trade socks… all packed and ready to go, along with a little sunny card
In exchange for these socks, I have (already) received a large box of felting wool, from which I plan to make a big colourful bag. And when I say colourful, it really will be if I use all of the shades:
All this for a pair of socks… mind you, they do take about 20 hours to knit!
I envisage it having a shoulder strap (perhaps made from an old leather belt) and being big enough to hold an A4 folder. I also intend that it has a flap to keep the rain out. I’m going to have to start off working round a really big resist (the plastic insert that allows you to create a three-dimensional object without the need for seams) to get a big enough bag. This will be the largest felting project I have ever undertaken, but it should be really fun. Now, I just need to find the time to do it!
The Snail of Happiness 
itwasjudith
/ November 25, 2013i love the idea of exchanging “items” 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 25, 2013It certainly works for me…
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katechiconi
/ November 25, 2013Love the idea. Also very jealous of your felting wool stash; I gave all mine away when I moved to the tropics because I knew it wouldn’t keep or store well. From past experience, I’d recommend reinforcing the bottom of the bag with feet or a leather strip as felt does wear out. Do post a step by step if you can.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 25, 2013Good suggestion about reinforcement – I hadn’t thought of that
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himalayanmusk
/ November 25, 2013Brilliant! looking forward to seeing it. Meanwhile, I’m starting on a reindeer project using scraps of fabric. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 25, 2013Now that sounds creative.. was thinking about crochet reindeer antlers the other day, but decided I want to make a dragon more!!
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himalayanmusk
/ November 25, 2013just before I start…just wanted to say I was drawn to your blog by the title – The Snail of Happiness – it says so much. 20 hours for a pair of socks! I like it 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 25, 2013It has been surprisingly popular… the story of its origin is here: https://thesnailofhappiness.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/the-snail-of-happiness/ and in more detail here: https://thesnailofhappiness.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/happiness-and-doom/
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gentlestitches
/ November 26, 2013What a wonderful idea. 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 26, 2013And I’ve just had another request… looks like I might get a handmade leather strap for my felt bag in exchange for socks!
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Kathryn
/ July 3, 2016Hi. I like to barter too. I am into knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving, but I recently developed RSI when knitting. I can still spin and weave. I have a lot of sock yarn and other weight yarn, and could trade some if you could knit me some socks. I could also spin some yarn for you, e.g. some undyed wool I have to around DK / Arran weight, or thinner. Is that of Interest to you?
All best
Kathryn
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The Snail of Happiness
/ July 3, 2016Oh yes, that would be of interest. If you send me a private message via the contact form at the bottom of the “Shop Window” page we can sort something out.
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